Inverness man pestered ex and made threats after break-up
A man who pestered his ex-partner and made threats towards her was told he had "better make an attitude adjustment" towards women or he would be jailed.
Alistair Kelly (38) of Heath Grove, Inverness, was appearing for sentence after admitting a campaign of domestic abuse against the woman and was banned by Sheriff Gary Aitken from contacting or approaching his victim for the next 10 years.
Kelly was also ordered to carry out 150 hours of unpaid community work and placed under two years of social work supervision after admitting the offence which took place between May 7 and 25 last year.
Fiscal depute Naomi Duffy-Welsh told Inverness Sheriff Court that the pair had been in an "on-off relationship since February 2021 and separated at the beginning of 2024.”
The prosecutor said that she tried to block all communication with Kelly and changed her phone number but on May 22 or 23 he entered her property shouting: "Are you not speaking to me?"
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Ms Duffy-Welsh added: "She was scared and they began arguing. He kicked a washing basket down the stairs and said to her she was lucky it was not her being kicked down the stairs.
"The argument continued and he repeatedly refused to leave, pushing her on the back."
The woman fled her home to a nearby business and when she returned he was gone.
Ms Duffy-Welsh said that the ex partner phoned him on May 24, they argued again "and a number of aggressive and intimidating comments were made towards her.”
She said the woman began to to get emails from Kelly’s work address the next day, ranting about their past relationship and saying “One of us has to leave Inverness.”
Ms Duffy-Welsh said: “She took this as a threat.
"He phoned her again later that day and made several more threats towards her."
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Police were called and Kelly was arrested after he turned up again at her house and banged on the door.
Defending, Roger Webb noted that the background report recommended a programme for male domestic abusers, saying: "This is his last chance."
Sheriff Aitken commented: "He needs an attitude adjustment which he can only do himself or he will be removed from society."
He told Kelly directly: "The problem lies with you. If you are back in court for similar behaviour it will almost certainly result in a custodial sentence but I will give you a chance."